September on the needles

There has been some knitting going on.  I'm slowly working on this. Very slowly I'm afraid.  

The pattern is available on Ravelry.  I think it was $4.  It is very similar to a lot of the "Wingspan" type patterns out there.

Here is my work in progress.  I estimate I'm not quite half way to the finish line.  I like the way the colors are showing up.  As you can see by all the points curling up I'm going to have to block the heck out of this when I'm done.  I've never blocked anything quite this size so that will take some planning.

Anyone else knitting or crocheting?  It is the time of year I can get quite excited about yarn and needles.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 9/27/16

I've missed a couple of Tuesday Tea Parties at the Altered Book Lover blog. We were at the River House without internet.  I've been having my coffee on the front porch in one of my thrifted colorful cups.

I had time to experiment with turning some trash into treasure. 

I literally found this chair sitting on the curb waiting for trash collection day.  No seat but I thought it had "good bones" and I took it home.

Washed, lightly sanded and painted with two coats of two colors of chalk paint.  I used Pumpkin and Maise.  Then the chair was sanded again in a few places to let the "pumpkin color" show through.  Last of all waxed and buffed.

DH is going to cut a piece of wood to create the seat.  Meanwhile I'm auditioning upholstery.  Here's a piece of heavy fabric I picked up.  A remnant at a deep discount.  It is very heavy and might be what is known as bark cloth.

Here's the second choice, picked up in the same remnant pile.  

This project was a lot of fun.  I'd never tried anything like it before, never used chalk paint and have yet to upholster anything - but that's coming soon.

I've shown this project to just a handful of friends and received various opinions about which fabric to use.  Feel free to chime in.

neighborhood walk 9/26/16

We are back from the river, back to an internet connection and I'm back to my morning walks.

This was taken a couple of days ago.  I go out early and thought the sky was so pretty.  We have clear skies today and are experiencing a bit of a heat wave.

The Crate and Barrel window says white and gold is the latest combo for interiors.  What do you think?  Maybe for the holidays.

Things are starting to look like autumn.  This is one of my favorite places to stop, sit and people watch for a few minutes before continuing my walk.

I will be trying to catch up with my blogger friends after my walk this morning.  I miss everyone when I'm away.

Tea Stands for Tuesday - 8/6/16

Good Morning Tea Party people.  Are you finding it hard to believe it is September already?  I am.  A visit to the local produce market this time of year is such a treat.  Everything is so colorful.

I want some of everything.  I don't find it difficult to eat my vegetables at all.

They have a wide variety of fruits too of course.  Have you ever tried Dragon Fruit?  I haven't yet but will one of these days.

Outside the market they have an area with lots of flowers. Sunflower season must be just about over.  Time to grab a bunch before they are gone.

Shopping is finished, everything put away.  Now it is time for some relaxing chamomile tea.  I'll be checking with Elizabeth at the Altered Book Lover blog to find out what the other tea posters have been up to.  There is always something interesting there.

Labor Day Holiday in the U.S.

Happy Monday friends.  It is a holiday in the U.S.  I thought I would bring back a post from my old blog that some of you might not have seen.  I'd be interested in hearing about any jobs you have held.  Your first one?  One you liked?  One you hated?  One you have now?  Me?  I'm retired!

Today is Labor Day here in the U.S.  The last day of a three day weekend and for most folks it marks the unofficial end of summer. 

This is according to the Dept. of Labor. "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

*Heilig Theater*

I thought it would be interesting to talk about our first job.  My first real job was as an usherette at the *Heilig Theater*  I worked part time there during high school.  My Father didn't really want me to work but I wanted to so he made a deal with me, I could work if I put half my pay check in saving.  Something I did religiously.  Since I was paid 35 cents an hour I can't say my savings account was ever huge but I added to it with every paycheck.

I have fond memories of that time.  Being an usherette at one of the two major movie theaters in town was considered rather glamorous and a plum job for a teenager. It was back in the day when movie theaters had a door man and usherettes wore a uniform and carried a flashlight.  When a major new film was being shown there was often a waiting line behind a big red satin rope in the lobby.  

Our uniforms were quite attractive if a bit military looking.  Usherettes had a dressing room to use to change from our street clothes.  It was located behind the stage and complete with fancy mirrors. lights and all. I think it was left over from the days when the theater actually held live productions.

Do you remember your first job?  Like it or hate it?

Second on the Second - September

Elizabeth at the Altered Book Lover blog hosts The Second on the Second.  A chance, on the second of every month to bring up a second look at a previous post.  Today I've chosen to show you an altered shirt I made.  I didn't add any more to it but I still wear the shirt and the art has held up pretty well.

FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2008

Altered Artwear

Do you remember the shirt I started arting up back in ... er.... April? 

Here's the finished version. Then again, I may do more of something or another on it. But I wore it as you see it so I'm calling it finished.

Front - the stitching is hard to see across the bottom.

The back design wasn't changed too much, some stitching was added to the top to anchor the flower that flows around to the front. I also added some stitches to fill in a bit around the tail of the shirt.

Now that I see it in photo's it looks somewhat bare to me. In person it seems a lot busier. Why do you think that is?

It is fun to look back through old posts and share something from the past.  Thank you Elizabeth for hosting the Second on the Second.

John Smith Gumbula - art

Yesterday I went to the thrift store looking for more lampshades to paint. I didn't find any lampshades but I did find this. I'm so excited. It will go in the "colorful" River House.

16x20 on canvas backed fabric

Text on the top left corner says "Gecko".  On the right it says "Aboriginal Art Australia" and in the lower right it says John Smith Gambula

I'm not sure if it is an original acrylic or if in fact it is a silk screen or something else. You can definitely feel the texture of the paint on the surface and the signature looks right.  Who knows, it may not even be authentic.  Perhaps it was made for the tourist trade with that "Aboriginal Art Australia" in the upper corner.  

I tried to find out more about the artist online. I did find a couple of similar works by the artist. This is about all I came up with about the artist himself.  In Brisbane, Queensland, painter and glass craftsman John Smith Gumbula is an artist much in demand.  He is currently finishing a major glass commission for the new Criminal Justice Commission building on Creek Street.

Patricia, a blogging friend who frequently posts here, lives there and is well connected in the art community.  I'm hoping she will have something to add to my knowledge.

In any case, I paid $5.00 for it and I'm delighted.  Now I need to find the right frame.